Best Credit Cards For Average Credit

Do you have less-than-perfect credit and want a credit card to start building your credit scores? No need to stress; we’ve broken down all the best credit cards for those with average credit. These credit cards are designed for those with average credit, which means your chances of getting approved are higher than with credit cards requiring excellent or good credit.

What is considered average credit?

In general, average credit scores can be as low as 650. The easiest way to know if you have average credit is to check your credit scores. Most credit report monitoring services provide you with all three of your credit scores upon signup, and a handful of these services also offer some sort of free trial, so you can test the service without making a financial commitment and essentially get your credit scores for free. Here’s a list of the top credit report monitoring services.

Best credit cards for average credit

So which credit cards are the best for people with average credit? We looked at the top credit cards for average credit and selected the ones that offer the best rewards and perks. Here are our favorites:

While most credit cards for average credit offer less-than-impressive rewards, the Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard provides you with 2x the points for every $1 you spend on gas, groceries and utilities, and 1x the points for every $1 spent on everything else. In addition to these generous rewards, Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard also has no annual fee, which is rare for cards aimed at those with average credit.

Similar to the Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card does not disappoint when it comes to rewards. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. In addition to the generous cash back, Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card also provides you with a lengthy 0% APR on all purchases and has no balance transfer fees. Although this card does have a $39 annual fee, it does offer unlimited cash back and even rewards you for making your first five months of payments on time by giving you access to a higher line.

Designed with students in mind, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is available to those with limited and fair/average credit. In addition to offering a generous 1% cash back on all purchases, the card rewards you for paying on time. Each month you pay by the due date you’ll get a 25% bonus on the cash you earned that month for a total of 1.5% cash back! The card also has no annual fee and no balance transfer fee.

[Note: Even though the credit cards listed above are best for people with average credit, you are not guaranteed to get approved for any of these cards since your credit scores are not the only factor that a bank looks at when deciding if it should issue you a credit card.]

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This content was accurate at the time of this post, but card terms and conditions may change at any time. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

Listen to Dave Ramsey, do not borrow money. Albert Einstein once said the most powerful force known to modern man is compound interest. When you borrow money you have the most powerful force known to man working agaonst you. If you need to borrow money to buy something then you cannot afford it.

ScottOctober 13, 2014

Cathy P. You should join a credit union of you have not already. Credit unions are non profit organizations owned by their members and are more liberal in taking care of their owners. Typically you can really start to buy your credit back after about 18 months from a c7 be. You have to try to reestablish a few more trade lines. Having a mix of revolving, and installment loans will help you restore your food credit rating. Check out synchrony bank, they bought get money and now finance for Amazon, rooms to go, macys, jc penny, lowes and a few others, store cards are a great way to increase your available credit but be warned that to many inquires in a short time are looked at as risky in the short term. If you have plans to apply for a few cards be sure to do it the same day. You credit bureau will take time to adjust and multiple inquiries will be seen as one in the long run. Discover has the “it” designed for average credit and that may be an alternative for you as well.

JasonSeptember 2, 2014

Catherine P, I think you should call the issuing bank and ask them about an increase. There is usually an option right in the phone menu for that.

I filed bankruptcy in 2007, and it was discharged in 2008. Shortly after that, I received a WaMu (Washington Mutual) unsecured credit card, and began building my credit back up. I always paid on time, and always more than the the minimum. Several months after receiving the card, they gave me a decent increase (I can’t remember the actual numbers at this point, but it was originally something like $1500, and went to $2500). During the banking crisis in 2008, WaMu was acquired by Chase, and shortly after, I received a letter from both banks, advising of the deal. The letter I received from Chase stated that they had acquired WaMu, and that they would be reviewing my credit worthiness, and that, once they deemed me worthy, I would receive a new card with the Chase brand. About a month or so later, I received said card, and life went on. About two months after receiving the new card, I received another letter, which stated that my account was being closed due to one of three reasons: either, I didn’t carry a high enough balance, I was in default for the card, or my credit report revealed credit issues. The only one of the items that fit was my bankruptcy, yet they issued me the new card with their brand, so I was confused. I called them up, and I got a very canned response; they would not tell me what the definitive reason was. The worst part is that I was using the WaMu card to filter all my purchases through, so that I could maintain a balance, and earn the rewards from it, but when Chase closed the account, it froze all my points. Even though I was still paying on the account, I couldn’t use any of the points I had accrued, so again I called them, and they told me tough luck. Since then, I have decided that Chase is not worthy of MY business going forward, so I will never do business with them again. I’ve purchased two vehicles since (one brand new), and I’ve asked the dealer to not include Chase in their search for the best rates.

Today, I have a Barclay card and a Discover Platinum, with a credit line of about $15,000 between the two of them. Chase can buzz off with trying to earn my business.

Richard FAugust 16, 2014

Catherine P, Just a thought. I believe Capitol One has not raised your limit because of the fact that you pay off your account in full each month. They (IMO) thrive on those who leave a balance thus generating interest and income for the bank. If you pay it off entirely, the bank makes no interest on the money they have lent you.

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VivelenaJuly 23, 2014

Hi Catherine P! Why dont you just try applying for another credit card such as some of the ones mentioned above and see what happens? If you get approved for another card, when you pay off the Cap One card, just dont use it! That will get their attention! Capital One is a huge conglomerate now. They bought up one of my other credit card’s company and ING where I had my savings acct.! Try applying for another credit company and see what happens! You may be pleasantly surprised! Good luck! And by the way, you owe no explanation to anyone about your past finances! You’ll find that most people have a poor credit score due to life’s rotten apples being thrown their way! I’m one of those, but I just keep trudging along and things eventually get better!!

Catherine PJuly 19, 2014

My goodness, Amber, judgmental much?! Just for your edification, I have an 18 year credit history on loans still open even during/after the BK, never made a late payment before OR after the bankruptcy EVER, and NO hard inquiries on my credit report (until the week before making this post see below re Barclay’s card). In your self-righteous haste to attack you must have missed where I said I’ve had a 100% ON TIME payment history on ALL my accounts of various different types since then as well as before. Further, our combined household income is now over 80K and the spouse hasn’t ever had a late payment either, ever, and no inquiries and ALL his credit cards are over 45 years old. Our utilization ratios are ALL under 20-30%. Yes dear, I DO know how credit works, and my comment was about THIS SPECIFIC card, as was the article I commented on, unlike you who only posted a retort/rebuke to my comment. I am most certainly not naive or stupid nor do I think my credit situation is “EXACTLY” like the poster before me – and it is most certainly not “exactly” like yours either, I’d wager. (And incidentally, what makes you think you know what I think anyway?) Additionally, I have never closed out an account, EVER, the ONLY black mark I’ve ever had is that bankruptcy which as I said was due to MEDICAL BILLS and I am fully aware (as you should be, given you seem to fancy yourself such a credit “expert”) that they do take into consideration what kind of bills one filed bankruptcy on and your reasons for doing so. Oh, and the mortgage (yes, mortgage, the partner and I own a house) expense is UNDER $1000 which is less than one bedrooms rent for in our area. And you also didn’t notice that I DID say “if it wouldn’t trash my credit” I’d close the account, meaning I have no intention of doing so and that I am well aware of and acknowledged the effect of closing a 2 year $700 credit line – which would, by the way, be minimal – would have on my credit score without your “valuable” input; and I didn’t say – nor do I believe – that “things will be fantastic;” and I did say I have paid this card off IN FULL EVERY MONTH FOR TWO YEARS as opposed to making only minimum payments as you insinuated, which I believe most certainly demonstrates my ability to be “responsible” with credit; that I’ve never been late or in default on any payment on any account EVER in my life until that bankruptcy . . . and most of all, I did NOT say or even hint that I should have been “approved for a credit card” just because someone else was or for any other reason because I was commenting about THIS card which I said I ALREADY HAVE. You obviously did not read one word of my post; indeed you clearly had nothing else in mind but to put me down and flaunt your “superior” knowledge of credit. Wow. I’m so impressed – NOT. Read it again sweetie – I HAVE this card, and I’ve had it longer than the gentleman who posted before me – I was merely making a COMMENT about my experience with this card in contrast to his in response to this article about this card, not attacking or criticizing anyone. My understanding was that this thread is for people to recount their experiences with THIS CARD and that is what we all did until YOU came on and chastised me. Might I suggest you READ my post again and maybe even consider making that a habit before attacking strangers online because there was not one thing in your rebuke that accurately reflected my comment, not one. For another thing, my partner’s credit history (45 years) counts toward mine because he put me on his 45 year spotless accounts, as does my joint OWNERSHIP of a $475k house for over 15 years (I filed BK, he didn’t, so that DOES stay on my history as do my student loans which have always been paid on time and do not get “wiped” so there’s another 15 years’ positive history). Is that enough information for you to stop making insulting negative assumptions about me? Oh, and I also have that Barclay’s card you mentioned, I got it a week BEFORE this posting, with a $5000 UNSECURED limit, another reason I was curious as to why Capital One thinks it necessary to keep a SECURED card at $700 after two years on time payments in full when I have $400 of my own cash on deposit? To paraphrase you, “Honestly, I don’t understand why some people feel they have the right/duty to insult other people who comment on an article – especially when everyone else is posting a comment about the article and your only purpose is to slam one of those posters?” You ought to go to charm school, dearie. Or maybe your daddy should have turned you over his knee more often. I’m 58 years old and I certainly dont need a lesson in credit – or anything else for that matter – from an ill-mannered brat such as yourself.

AmberJuly 17, 2014

I don’t understand why people think just because someone else was approved for a credit card that they should be approved too?!?! Honestly do you know the person’s ENTIRE history? Creditors do not look at just your credit/FICO score but they look at how many hard inquiries you’ve had, how much is your annual income, your employment history, your monthly mortgage/rent expense, your credit card utilization rate, debt to income ratio, how long have you had open account(s) in good standing, etc. I hope you get the idea since just because someone else had a bankruptcy discharged only a year ago doesn’t mean you both have IDENTICAL credit. There are so many variables including the card issuer and even the underwriter looking at your application. And just so you know December 2014 will be 5 years since I have had a bankruptcy discharged so I am familiar with the struggle that happens after the bankruptcy is over. Most think after bankruptcy live will be fantastic and go back to the way things were. Not the case since you now have to prove you can use credit responsibly. Honestly, the best thing you can do is ALWAYS pay every bill on-time with at least the minimum (paying more is always better and saves you potential interest charges). Show the creditors that you can use their cards responsibly by not maxing the card out and paying only the minimum each month. And if you were to close out your credit card account keep in mind that will just HURT your score and credit even more and honestly you think a huge financial company such as Capital One or Barclays would even care they lost a customer with a $500-700 credit limit? Yet at the same time they probably just signed a new customer up with a substantial limit who will be using the card. With a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (or at least with mine; perhaps different rules in different states) I know my credit length history (another factor for FICO score) was ‘wiped”. Meaning creditors look at the accounts I opened AFTER the bankruptcy discharge. Even though my true length is still on my credit reports creditors do not go back before a bankruptcy (again check your state rules on this as I have no idea if it is just Connecticut or not). Therefore, just like with closing your oldest account, creditors will see some red flags, just like if applying for many cards in a short time period which looks like a risk (that’s my problem; the inquiries). Hope this information helps someone! Oh, and I have the above two Capital Ones and the Barclay cards mentioned.

Catherine PJuly 10, 2014

I got a secured Capital One card in late 2012 having file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010. I’ve never missed a payment, never been late, always pay it off every month – never have I paid only the minimum payment. I made an extra deposit of $200 to raise my credit limit over a year ago, thinking that was a good move to increase my credit score and demonstrate my responsibility and commitment to handling my money wisely. They only just raised my credit limit a month ago (from my previous $400 limit based on my own personal funds they’re holding on deposit) to a “generous” STILL SECURED $700. What’s wrong with this picture? I’ve never been unhappy with the situation, and I’ve been pleased with their customer service all this time, but after seeing this article and the comments, particularly the poster who filed Chapter 7 less than a year ago and still got an UNSECURED Capital One card and had his limit raised to $1300 5 month later for “paying on time,” I’m feeling a tad bit disgruntled and more than a little ripped off. I’ve kept a clean credit history ever since the bankruptcy in 2010 – which was the result of horrendous medical bills incurred when my employer fired me for getting sick so of course I lost my insurance, being unable to pay $1200/month for COBRA coverage without a JOB – so it’s not like I was out buying diamonds and furs and boats and Hummers and not paying for them! I have a stellar record of 100% on time payments since November 2010 on my car payments through a bank that reports – funny, they loaned me $15,000 on a pre-owned car 3 months after my bankruptcy was discharged at 4% interest, for a short term of 48 months, which I think is pretty good and I only have a year left before it’s paid off – and no other negative marks on my report besides this bankruptcy. So what more do I have to do? I think at the very least they should have converted that card over to an unsecured on by now, even if they kept the limit at $700 (which is also unreasonably low, given the fact that I always pay it off on a monthly basis and have for just shy of the two years I”ve had the account). If it wouldn’t trash my credit that I’ve struggled in good faith to rebuild, I’d close that account right now rather than do business with them if that’s how they’re going to reward my efforts.

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ElsieJune 17, 2014

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kimJune 15, 2014

I filed chapter 7 July 2013. I recently applied and got approved for a Barclay Credit card. It is one I think is great. Capital one is also terrific. I kept it good for 5 months as require and They raised my Credit limit from the original $300 to $1300 for paying on time. They are both what I would recommend for anyone trying to rebuild credit.

DianeJune 9, 2014

WE have a capital one card too we also filed chapter seven bankruptcy and its hard to find a good card with low interest any suggestions?

Jamie mahtabanJune 6, 2014

My wife and I have filed Bankruptcy 3 years ago and like to establish credit.
Can we both open a Secured CC?

DerekJune 4, 2014

I have a cap 1 card with no annual fee. It is a sony card

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Julie Myhre-Nunes

Julie joined NextAdvisor.com in 2013 as a writer. Since then, she has taken on the role of Director of Content, where she oversees the strategy and production of every piece of content that the company creates, including blog posts, reviews, the newsletter, social media and others. Since the beginning of her career, Julie's writing has been published by numerous nationally-recognized news websites, including USA Today, Business Insider, Wired Insights and American City Business Journals, among others. She is an alumna of San Jose State University, where she earned a B.S. in Journalism. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAdvisor.

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